Archive for the ‘Space News’ Category
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November 6th, 2025
Securing Space Superiority: U.S. Deterrence Options in a Two-Rival Threat Environment has been released by the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA).
Military competition in and for space is rising. Both the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Russian Federation have put significant effort into developing, demonstrating, and fielding counterspace capabilities.
The capabilities—including direct-ascent anti-satellite weapons, co-orbital weapons, directed energy, and electronic warfare and cyber capabilities—could allow the Chinese and Russian militaries to threaten U.S. space systems.
This report contends that the United States cannot treat the space threats from China and Russia in isolation and must instead be prepared to deter or counter both simultaneously.
To access this report, go to:
https://www.csbaonline.org/uploads/documents/CSBA8410_Securing_Space_Superiority_Report_WEB.pdf
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Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
China’s Mars orbiter has snagged images of that interstellar interloper – 31/Atlas – making use of its high-resolution camera, reports the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
During the observation, states China Central Television (CCTV), the Mars orbiter was about 30 million kilometers from 3I/ATLAS, making it one of the closest observations by a probe of this interstellar object.
China’s Tianwen-1 mission, consisting of an orbiter, a lander and a rover, was launched in July 2020. The probe entered Mars’ orbit in February 2021 and has been operating in a stable condition for roughly four years and eight months, CCTV adds.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Consecutive images
“From Oct 1 to 4, Tianwen-1 captured images each day and sent the data back to the ground. Using these consecutive images, we were able to create an animation that effectively shows its [3I/Atlas] flight path,” said Liu Jianjun, chief designer of the ground application system for China’s first Mars exploration mission.
This successful observation represents an extended mission task for Tianwen-1.
On patrol – NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO).
Image credit: NASA/JPL
“The Tianwen-1 team began preparing for the observation in early September,” CCTV reports. “After repeated simulations and feasibility assessments, they determined to use the high-resolution camera on the orbiter and designed optimal imaging strategies, ultimately achieving successful observation.”
HiRISE imagery?
Another spacecraft circling the Red Planet, the NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, was supposedly tasked to use its powerful HiRISE (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) camera system to also acquire imagery of 31/Atlas.
If so, those HiRISE images have yet to be released.
Reportedly, the end of the U.S. government shutdown will allow release of the HiRISE images of 3I/ATLAS.
Meanwhile, to view a CCTV video discussing the Tianwen-1 orbiter’s imagery, go to:
Image credit: CMSA/CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
China’s Shenzhou-20 crew is not returning to Earth as scheduled, due to a possible impact from space debris.
The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced the decision, with an impact analysis and risk assessment now being done.
The trio of astronauts — Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie — have stayed in orbit for more than six months.
China’s Tiangong space station as imaged by MAXAR satellite.
Image credit: MAXAR
Protective shielding
Over several spacewalks taken by China’s station crew members, a number of locations on the orbital complex has been beefed up by protective shielding to guard against space debris impacts.
Meanwhile, retrieval teams that will pick up the Shenzhou-20 crew after their return to Earth have been busily rehearsing different search and rescue scenarios, including night-time exercises, and are fully prepared for the crew recovery.
The Dongfeng landing site is within Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, in north China.
Recovery crew training.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
The Threat of “Space Waste” – New Research Points to Impacts of Reentering Satellite, Rocket Remains
Artwork depicts Cluster satellite reentry.
Image credit: ESA/David Ducross
The upsurge in placing mega-satellite constellations into Earth orbit is amplifying the problem of on-orbit space debris, possible impact on Earth’s atmosphere, and increased risk of space waste hitting the Earth.
New research points to the growing hazard of space waste.
“Large satellite constellations are one of the main reasons for an increasing amount of mass being brought into low Earth orbit in recent years. After end of life, the satellites, as well as rocket stages, reenter Earth’s atmosphere. This space waste burns up and thus injects a substantial amount of its matter into the mesosphere and lower thermosphere.”
One object that survived reentry of an Iridium satellite was discovered on the ground back in 2018. Image credit: Kings County Sheriff’s Office
Transition metals
The soon-to-be published work has been done by researchers at the Technical University of Braunschweig in Germany. They point out that reentering “transition metals” – such as titanium and copper that are used in spacecraft and rocket stages — are threatening Earth’s ozone layer.
The injection of space waste into the Earth’s atmosphere can create “long-term adverse effects on the atmosphere such as ozone depletion, radiative effects and changes in cloud formation, if no action is taken,” concludes Leonard Schulz and colleagues.
“Research is urgently needed into the atmospheric accumulation, chemistry, and general atmospheric effects of specific elements,” the research team explains.
Credit: CORDS
Driving factor
According to the researchers, between 2020 and 2024, the mass influx and injected mass has more than doubled, whereas it stayed almost constant in the years before. “This shows that the onset of the large satellite constellation age is the driving factor of the increased space waste reentry into the atmosphere.”
To gain access to the preprint submitted to the Advances in Space Research journal – “Space waste: An update of the anthropogenic matter injection into Earth atmosphere” – go to:
https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.21328v1
Images taken recently of purported space debris landing in Australia.
Image credit: Western Australia Police Force
The Age of Disclosure: A documentary that reveals an 80-year global cover-up of non-human intelligent life, with testimony from 34 U.S. Government insiders is coming November 21st.
The Age of Disclosure featuring U.S. Government, military, and intelligence community – tells the story of a cover-up of the existence of non-human intelligent life and a secret war to reverse engineer technology of non-human origin.
The film probes the impact of the situation on the future of humanity, while providing a look behind-the-scenes with those at the forefront of the bi-partisan disclosure effort.
For trailer, go to: https://youtu.be/DkU7ZqbADRs
Also, go to this Real Time with Bill Maher discussion with the film’s producer at:
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Preparations are underway for China’s upcoming Shenzhou-20 crew landing in the Dongfeng Landing Site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Multiple rehearsals have been carried out to prepare for search and recovery operations.
The three Shenzhou-20 crew members — Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie — are returning to Earth after a six-month stint in space.
Landing area
“Our five helicopters will be deployed around the landing area of the return capsule, forming a square with the four sides approximately 26 kilometers long each, arranged in a tiered formation into the air,” said Wang Wenjuan, a member of the detachment.
“This setup will ensure that the landing area of the return capsule remains perfectly centered within this square,” Wang told China Central Television (CCTV).
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Systematic drills
The medical rescue team also carried out systematic drills, centering on medical treatment under extreme conditions, such as low temperature and darkness.
“We’re familiarized with the treatment process and have renewed our first-aid equipment, which allows our team members to conduct treatment more effectively,” Wang Bingjun, leader of the medical aid team with search and rescue mission for Shenzhou-20, told CCTV.
Astronauts on the Shenzhou-21 manned spaceship were greeted by the Shenzhou-20 crew, who they will be replacing, after successfully docking with China’s Tiangong space station in orbit on November 1 to begin the handover of duties.
Image credit: CMSA/CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
The Shenzhou-20 crew is now onboard China’s Tiangong space station, engaged in handover procedures with the recently arrived Shenzhou-21 crew members.
Go to this CCTV video spotlighting practice sessions for recovery of the Shenzhou-20 crew at:
Image credit: CCTV/CMSA
A major element of China’s humans-to-the-Moon program is development of a new generation of crewed spaceship.
The Mengzhou-1 is to be launched in 2026, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
A state-run Xinhua news agency story explains that “Mengzhou is developed through a comprehensive upgrade from the Shenzhou crewed spaceship. It adopts a modular design, comprising a return capsule and a service capsule, and it will provide transport between Earth and the space station.”
Maiden flight
The Mengzhou-1 crewed spaceship will make its maiden flight — (uncrewed) atop the Long March-10A carrier rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in southern Hainan Province, and dock with the radial port of the space station’s core module.
New generation Mengzhou spacecraft.
Image credit: CMSA
The spaceship’s overall systems are to be evaluated while delivering to China’s orbital outpost environmental assessment instruments and supplies, technology demonstration payloads, crew necessities, and experiment devices for applied-science tests.
Future launches
CMSA also noted that China will also launch the Shenzhou-22 and Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China next year. Each mission will carry a crew of three astronauts.
The Shenzhou-22 spacecraft will dock with the radial port of the space station’s core module, while Shenzhou-23 will dock with the front port.
“One astronaut of the Shenzhou-22 crew will stay in orbit for a long-duration residency experiment lasting more than one year,” states the Xinhua report.
Astronauts on the Shenzhou-21 manned spaceship were greeted by the Shenzhou-20 crew, who they will be replacing, after successfully docking with China’s Tiangong space station in orbit on November 1 to begin the handover of duties.
Image credit: CMSA/CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
China also plans to launch the uncrewed Tianzhou-10 cargo spacecraft from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in 2026. It will dock with the backward port of the space station’s core module.
Landing site drills
Meanwhile, the recently lofted Shenzhou-21 crew is involved in handover station activities with the Shenzhou-20 trio of space travelers.
Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie flew to the space station in April of this year and are preparing to return to Earth in the coming days.
China Central Television (CCTV) states that multiple comprehensive drills have been conducted at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. This recovery crew will handle the return of the Shenzhou-20 crew.
For a new video showing the two crews aboard China’s Tiangong space station, go to:
Image credit: CMSA/CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
China’s Shenzhou-21 crew is now onboard the country’s orbital outpost, the Tiangong space station.
The Shenzhou-21 spaceship successfully docked early November 1 with the front port of the Tianhe core module, a docking process that took about 3.5 hours.
That fast-paced launch-to-docking time set a new record for the most rapid rendezvous and docking between a Shenzhou spacecraft and the space station, said the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
An in-orbit crew handover from the Shenzhou-20 crew with the newcomers has begun.
Image credit: CMSA/CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
New faces
Chen Dong, commander of the Shenzhou-20 mission, said: “Since you are the new faces here, everything is fresh and exciting, and from this moment on you are embarking on a brand new journey of space exploration.”
The Shenzhou-21 crew consists of mission commander Zhang Lu, who was previously a member of the Shenzhou-15 mission, alongside flight engineer Wu Fei and payload specialist Zhang Hongzhang, each embarking on their first spaceflight mission.
Handover work
The six space travelers will live and work together for about five days to complete planned tasks and handover work, the CMSA said.
At that point, the Shenzhou-20 crew — Chen Dong, along with Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie — will depart the station and head back to Earth after their six-month journey.
Go to these new videos highlighting the liftoff and docking of the Shenzhou-21 at:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/4019423761689879
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1247595994052395
Biofabrication of engineered tissues and grafts in microgravity environments can help sustain long-term space missions and provide insights into disease mechanisms in space.
Image credit: ETH Zurich
Researchers at ETH Zurich in Switzerland, via parabolic flight investigation, have succeeded in 3D printing human muscle tissue in microgravity. The intent is to offer a novel approach that would help space travelers cope with health risks that the human body will endure on the Moon, or transiting to Mars.
Printing biological tissue in microgravity means more realistic muscle models that reflect how tissue truly behaves in space.
The technique creates opportunities for on-orbit drug testing and disease modeling (e.g., muscular dystrophy, weightlessness-induced atrophy) in systems that better mimic the human body.
Image credit: Air Zero G by Novespace
Parabolic flights
The ETH Zurich research team used parabolic flights to simulate the microgravity of space for a short period of time. Investigations were carried out onboard an Airbus A310 Zero G flying laboratory operated by Novespace based in France.
ETH researchers developed a new biofabrication system called G-FLight (Gravity-independent Filamented Light). This system enables the rapid production of viable muscle constructs within seconds.
A follow-up aim is to use these techniques to produce complex human “organoids” and tissues on board the International Space Station or future off Earth orbital platforms.
Optical components of G-FLight printer and resin formulations.
Image credit: Michael Winkelbauer, et al.
Gravity’s disruptive forces
According to an ETH statement, “the production of fine, biological structures such as muscle tissue poses a major challenge under normal gravitational conditions on Earth. The goal is to print tissue that looks exactly like the natural structures in the body. However, gravity interferes with the process.”
That said, under microgravity, these disruptive forces disappear.
“Without structural stress, researchers can produce muscle fibers exactly as they are aligned in the body. This precise construction is crucial: only models that accurately reflect the human body structure provide reliable results when testing new drugs or studying disease progression,” the ETH statement explains.
In the micro-g environment of space, researchers can conduct basic research thanks to these ‘organ models.’ The models are used to study diseases such as muscular dystrophy or muscle atrophy caused by weightlessness.
“In addition, they can be used to test the effectiveness of therapeutics in a system that better reflects the complexity of the human body – because 3D printing in weightlessness allows muscle fibers to be aligned with such precision and accuracy,” reports the ETH.
G-FLight printer and example prints of microfilamented constructs.
Image credit: Michael Winkelbauer, et al.
Flight validation
“Biofabrication of engineered tissues and grafts in microgravity environments can help sustain long-term space missions and provide insights into disease mechanisms in space,” points out a research paper led by Michael Winkelbauer of the Institute for Biomechanics, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich.
“As a necessary precursor to future space applications, we have validated the G-FLight printer within parabolic flights, which recreate several cycles of microgravity lasting 20–22 seconds, which represents the time window for printing the constructs,” Winkelbauer and colleagues report.
For access to the informative paper – “Prolonged Cell Encapsulation and Gravity-independent Filamented Light Biofabrication of Muscle Constructs” – go to:
https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202512727
For more information on ETH Zurich, go to:
Image credit: Roscosmos/Makeyev State Space Center
Roscosmos, the lead Russian space agency, has announced Project Korona: Creating a fully reusable launch vehicle.
At a meeting of the Scientific and Technical Council, held at the Roscosmos facility — the Makeyev State Space Center –key technologies were detailed regarding the Korona research project. The feasibility of the project was reviewed, an effort that “will allow Russia to ensure independent access to space and enter the global space services market,” states a Roscosmos posting.
Development work will begin in 2026.
According to Roscomos, the Kornoa rocket
- will be able to quickly launch satellites into orbit,
- return damaged or retired spacecraft to Earth,
- fly from point A to point B, deliver cargo in minutes, or transport people across intercontinental distances.
Key advantages of Korona would be:
- high launch rates
- low cost of payload launch
- no need to identify impact areas
- the ability not only to launch but also to return cargo from orbit
- point-to-point flights
- preserving cargo in emergency situations
Missile design bureau
Image credit: Makeyev State Space Center
The JSC Makeyev Design Bureau is a Russian missile design company located in Miass, Chelyabinsk region, Russia. According to sources, Korona would be 98 feet (30 meters) tall, sporting a diameter of 33 feet (10 meters).
As a single-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle capable of performing vertical takeoff and landing, Korona was reportedly studied by the Makeyev Design Bureau from 1992 to 2012. But its development was curtailed due to lack of funding.
In 2016, the design bureau reportedly resumed development of the vehicle and now appears to have been given the Roscosmos go-ahead.
